* Have your NAR number or your name on the outside, large
and clear enough that the contest officials can easily read it. Teams must use
the Team number or name. USMRSC 9.4

* Have been constructed by yourself or by one or more
members of your Team. You may not enter Ready-To-Fly rockets (no construction
required) in NAR sanctioned competition. USMRSC 9.9

Know the rules

Your having a grasp of the bigger picture can increase your
enjoyment of NAR competition. You can read the Pink Book Lite to see only
the rules for competitors, not for Contest Directors or other contest
officials. Read the full USMRSC (Pink Book) to see all the rules.

* The purpose of this competition is to stimulate new
concepts, approaches, and ideas in (1) advancing the state-of-the-art of model
rocketry, or (2) using model rocketry as a research tool. USMRSC 63.1

Are There Any Special Considerations?

* R&D is unlike any other NAR competition event. It’s
closer to a Science Fair project.

* Projects previously entered in a meet with a contest
factor greater than or equal to the current meet may not be accepted as an
entry unless the contestant has demonstrated that significant new work has been
done. USMRSC 63.1

* This competition may not be conducted by proxy, unless the
Contest Director rules that special circumstances, such as illness, warrant
special consideration. USMRSC
63.3

* Each entry must be accompanied by three copies of a
written report, stating in detail: USMRSC 63.5

- The objectives of the work

- The approach taken

- List of any related R&D reports
previously entered by the author, if any, with brief summaries

- References to previous work done
on the subject, found in research preparatory to this report

- The equipment used

- The facilities used

- The money spent on the project
(budget)

- The data collected

- The results obtained

- The conclusions drawn

- Further work that would clarify
or extend the results obtained

Note that every report must have
these elements in some form to be considered a qualified entry. If the report
concerns a book, data compilation, project design, etc., the above elements
regarding its development are required.

* NO. However, the Contest Director can require that you
return your entry. USMRSC
9.10

How Many Flights Can I Make?

* Your project does not have to be a flying model rocket.
See the links under What Else & What Next? for examples.

How is the Competition Scored?

* Research and Development competition shall be scored as
follows: the top four places will be awarded sequentially descending from first
place (1-2-3-4) on the basis of the quality of the projects submitted, and
their new contributions to the hobby or its applications. All places need not
be awarded, but winning entries must occupy first (through second, third, or
fourth) place without skipping places. In the event of a tie, both entries will
be awarded their place as if the other did not exist, i.e., 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd
awarded for the top four places in case of a tie for second. Entries that, in
the opinion of the judges, were entered solely to qualify in the event and
which offer little or not quality value may be disqualified at the discretion
of the judges, and if disqualified shall not be awarded flight points for the
event. USMRSC 63.12

What Will Disqualify My Entry?

* Your entry will be disqualified if it spins or loops and
does not fly straight. USMRSC
9.3

* Your entry may be disqualified if, in the opinion of the
contest officials, it does not comply with the competition rules or is unsafe
in operation. USMRSC
11.1, 11.2